Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 3

heart."
    Noah laughed. "Yeah, okay. Why not?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Yeah."
    "Really?" Aaron grinned at the look Noah gave him. "Scratch that. You already said yes. You can't take it back now."
    "I'm the one with the car," Noah pointed out, but he made no move to leave.
    ****
    "I can't believe you asked my dad's permission. What is that about?"
    "Is that what he told you?" Aaron laughs. He really called Noah's mom to ask her opinion on the whole ring issue because, if nothing else, the woman could be counted on to have an opinion. Aaron likes that about her. His own mother tends to be overly diligent about seeing both sides of everything, which is entirely unhelpful when it comes to making a decision.
    "You didn't?" Noah narrows his eyes, but complies when Aaron tugs on his hand to get him to join him on the couch. "You didn't really ask his permission," Noah says as he settles next to Aaron. He sounds relieved at the thought.
    Aaron wraps his arm around Noah's waist to keep him from falling off. The couch isn't tiny, but there isn't a lot of extra room with both of them horizontal on it either. "If your dad said I asked permission, far be it from me to argue. I am a gentleman, after all."
    Noah pokes his side, making him squirm. "What does that make me?"
    "My fiancé."
    All traces of irritation fade from Noah's expression. "Say that again."
    "My fiancé," Aaron repeats, leaning in for a kiss. "Future husband. Love of my life."
    "I really didn't expect that to sound so hot," Noah whispers between kisses. Aaron can only nod. He feels a thrill every time he says it. "There will come a day when that won't get you out of trouble, though."
    As warnings go, with Noah there pressed up against him, kissing the side of his neck, it's not entirely effective. Aaron smiles and pushes Noah's shirt up so he can get to bare skin. "Today is not that day."
    ****
    "I'm sorry," Noah says for the fourth time since they got in the car. It's more an expression of regret than an actual apology. He's sorry he answered the phone, he's sorry he told Katie that they really did remember her brother's band was playing tonight, and, yes, of course they'd be there.
    Aaron, on the other hand, seems completely unfazed by the unexpected outing. He reaches out and squeezes Noah's knee as he turns into the bar's tiny, crowded parking lot. "It's cool. We'll stay for the first set, have a beer and then take off."
    It's a plan. A good one, even, except that once they get inside and make their way to the table where their friends are waiting, Aaron blurts out, "We're getting married!" instead of, "Hello," and a beer turns into celebratory shots.
    Not that Noah turns them down. It's been a while since he's gotten anything beyond tipsy, and he is definitely in the mood to celebrate. They end up in the corner of the booth they're occupying, and even with Aaron warm and whiskey-loose next to him, Noah itches at the confinement.
    "I'm gonna hit the head," he says – yells – in Aaron's ear. When he stands, he realizes he's probably a bit more drunk than he thought. He laughs when Aaron moves to follow him.
    "You guys realize that's a one-seater, right?" Katie yells after them.
    Noah assumes that Aaron dutifully flips her off and doesn't bother with the task himself.
    Noah flips the lock on the bathroom door as soon as they're both in there and grabs Aaron's shirt to yank him forward as Aaron pushes him back against the door. Somehow they maintain their balance and Noah has just enough time to tilt his head up to meet Aaron's kiss. It's desperate and needy, like they both aren't well past the age of old enough to know better, like they don't have a big, comfortable bed waiting for them at home.
    "God, I want you so much," Noah says against Aaron's mouth.
    "You say the sweetest things when you're drunk," Aaron answers, moving to undo the fly of Noah's jeans.
    ****
    "Stop laughing at me. You're laughing at me," Noah complained, although he didn't actually mind. Aaron had the most charming, beautiful smile Noah had ever seen in his entire life. "You're very pretty."
    "I swear, I'm not laughing at you," Aaron said, giggling the entire time as he tried to get the door to Noah's apartment open. "I've just never seen you this trashed. It's adorable."
    "I –" Noah stopped and tried to think if he should be put-off by that. "I am not a bunny," he said. Bunnies were adorable. Baby kittens and puppies... any baby animal, really. Except there were probably some creepy ones, but he